Fishing platform for a boat

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a portable platform for use on a boat. The platform has a number of uses including, for example, providing a platform to stand on for sight fishing and bow fishing from a boat. A method of fishing from a boat is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/034,076, filed Aug. 6, 2014, entitled “Fishing Platform for a Boat,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A portable stable platform for a boat and a method of fishing using the platform is provided.

BACKGROUND

Boats are adapted for particular applications such as cruising and entertaining, skiing, general fishing, duck hunting, bow fishing, bass fishing, as well as many others. Because people may want to use their boats for applications that the boat is not specifically designed for, there is a need in the art for portable attachments that facilitate a particular application. The present disclosure provides a fishing platform that can be attached to most boats to facilitate the boat's use for bow fishing and other applications that would benefit from an elevated platform with lights.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a portable platform for use on a boat. The platform has a number of uses including, for example, providing a platform to stand on for sight fishing and bow fishing from a boat. A method of fishing from a boat is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of an embodiment of a portable fishing platform of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable fishing platform of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the portable fishing platform of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a platform assembly of the portable fishing platform of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the platform assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line D-D of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line E-E of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a rear pivot plate of the portable fishing platform of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a front pivot plate of the portable fishing platform of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a pedestal catch assembly of the portable fishing platform of FIG. 1 in a first orientation;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the pedestal catch assembly of FIG. 12 in a second orientation; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of a portion of the pedestal catch assembly of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-14, an embodiment of a portable fishing platform 10 according to the present disclosure is described herein in further detail. In the depicted embodiment, the portable fishing platform 10 includes a platform assembly 12, a rear leg assembly 14, and a front leg assembly 16. In the depicted embodiment the portable fishing platform 10 includes a single platform assembly, but it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the fishing platform can be comprised of a number of individual platforms connected to or arranged adjacent to each other on a boat to form a single working platform from which to bow fish.

In the depicted embodiment, the front leg assembly 16 is configured to pivot from a storage position to a use position. In the storage position, the front leg assembly 16 is configured to be folded under a platform assembly 12. The front leg assembly includes two support legs that are configured to rest on the flat or curved floor or bench seat surface S1 of a boat. Similarly, the rear leg assembly 14 is configured to pivot from a storage position to a use position. In the storage position, the rear leg assembly 14 is folded under a platform assembly 12. The rear leg assembly 14 includes two telescoping support legs that are configured to rest on the flat or curved floor or seat surface S2 of a boat. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the portable fishing platform 10 can be secured onto a traditionally shaped fishing boat wherein the floor surface is V-shaped in the cross-sectional beam direction Si and S2, and curved in the longitudinal direction S3. It should be appreciated that the platform can also be secured onto a variety of boats including, for example, boats with flat bottoms and bench seats (duck hunting boats), boats with a flat floor substructure (e.g., bass fishing boats).

The platform assembly 12 defines a front periphery edge 18, a rear periphery edge 20, a first side periphery edge 22, and a second side periphery edge 24. In the depicted embodiment the platform frame assembly is generally tapered from a rear area towards a front area. The tapered shape can be beneficial when the portable fishing platform 10 is positioned in the bow area of a boat.

In the depicted embodiment, the platform assembly includes a non-slip cladding that is secured to a metal frame (e.g., aluminum frame structure). It should be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment the platform assembly can be constructed of a molded plastic without a separable sub-frame structure. In the depicted embodiment, the frame includes a rear frame member 26 and a pair of longitudinal frame members 28, 30 connected thereto. In the depicted embodiment the longitudinal frame members 28, 30 are perpendicular to the rear frame member 26 and parallel to each other.

In the depicted embodiment, rear pivot members 32, 34 are welded to the rear frame member 26 and front pivot members 36, 38 are welded to a distal end of the longitudinal members 28, 30. In the depicted embodiment, a structural support member 40 is welded to the rear frame member 26 and the longitudinal members 28, 30. The structural support member includes a circular aperture that is configured to receive the post of a seat in the event the user desires to configure the platform such that a seat is positioned above the platform.

In the depicted embodiment, the foot support platform includes a pedestal catch 42 that is configured to extend through a preexisting aperture in some boats and engage the edges of the aperture to serve as an anchor point for securing the platform on the boat. In some embodiments ratchet straps are used to hook onto the tie down points on the bottom surface of the platform and around support on the boat (e.g., around the seats, through the clevis located at the outside front of the boat that is typically used to pull the boat out of the water, through oar locks, etc.).

In the depicted embodiment, a pair of kick rails 44, 46 are configured to be removably attached at the side periphery edges 22 and 24 of the platform. In the depicted embodiment, the kick rails are attached via pins. It should be appreciated that many other configurations are also possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the side rails can be configured to pivot from a use position to a storage position similar to the leg assemblies.

In the depicted embodiment, the platform includes a lighting system that includes a number of LED lights that are mounted to the portable fishing platform 10 to illuminate the water. In the depicted embodiment the lighting system can include lights 50 mounted to the kick rails, lights 52 slidably mounted to the periphery edges of the platform assembly 12 that engage the channels on downwardly facing edge, and light 54 mounted to the sub-frame structure of the platform assembly. The lights can be connected to their own power source (battery) mounted to the bottom surface of the fishing platform assembly 12 or to an auxiliary power source.

The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

We claim:
 1. A portable fishing platform comprising: a platform including a bottom side and a top surface; a rear leg assembly, the rear leg assembly being pivotally connected to the deck surface and configured to be folded under the deck in a storage position and extended in a use position, wherein the rear leg assembly includes telescoping leg support structures and pivotable feet; a front leg assembly, the front leg assembly being pivotally connected to the deck surface and configured to be folded under the deck in a storage position and extended in a use position; tie down anchors on the bottom side of the platform; kick rails extending upwardly from side edges of the platform; and an illumination system mounted to the platform.
 2. A method of fishing comprising: pivoting front legs from a platform into an extended position; pivoting rear legs from a platform into an extended position; positioning the platform onto a top surface of a boat and adjusting the length of at least one of the front legs or rear legs to adjust the level of the platform; tying down the platform onto the boat to secure it in place; turning on an illumination system connected to the platform; and standing on the platform and bow fishing from the platform. 